Ted Trimpa’s buns

Lobbying makes strange bedfellows. One day youâ€™re with someone on a bill, the next day youâ€™re on opposite sides. Thatâ€™s why Ted Trimpa made his famous sticky buns.

Trimpa represents EnCana and Noble, which have been involved in a natural gas bill for more than a year. Trimpa is lobbying on behalf of the measure, House Bill 1365, which promotes natural-gas electricity at the expense of coal.

Opposing it is fellow lobbyist and long-time friend Dianna Orf, who represents the Colorado Mining Association. The association contends the bill will severely reduce the use of affordable coal-based electricity on Coloradoâ€™s Front Range, causing a â€śmassive spikeâ€ť in energy prices for Colorado families and businesses.

As sort of a peace offering, Trimpa delivered his homemade sweet dough sticky buns to Orf and some fellow lobbyists. None for any lawmakers, though, on account of Amendment 41, which forbids lobbyists for buying lawmakers even a cup of coffee because, as everyone knows, that lone cup of java will so sway their vote.

Anyhow, Orf said the buns were delicious and helped leave a better taste in her mouth than the 53-12 vote in favor of House Bill 1365. The bill is now in the Senate.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.